When reading about the great glass makers of yesteryear, one can be forgiven for developing the impression that the decorative glass industry has, as a whole, been in decline for some time. For every Steuben (which famously rose from the ashes of bankruptcy in 2015), there are many more Loetzes, Kraliks, and Sowerbys: Companies who […]
Studio Art Glass: Is The Future Cloudy Or Crystal Clear? Continue Reading »
Stained Glass Art Of Medieval Cathedrals The feeling that accompanies walking into a medieval cathedral is incomparable: As you enter the cavernous main chamber of the structure, the sound of your own breath and footfalls is suddenly magnified. There is a sense of ageless continuity, as if a river of time flows beneath the building,
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The Passionate Artist: How Emile Galle Glass Art Reshaped An Industry Collectors today have so many antique art glass styles to choose from that it’s easy to forget how contemporary the concept of ‘art glass’ really is. Yet a brief look through the types of glass popular with collectors today—such as vaseline glass, depression glass, and carnival glass—reveals
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An art glass perspective from our US writer John Watson… For most people, glass is a functional material used for windows, glassware, and little ornaments around the house. It is not a material that people consider to be a major part of the art world, unless, of course, you include stained glass windows in that
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When you think of stunning architecture, you tend to think of the great buildings of the world, many of which are still standing in Europe and countries well outside the borders of the United States. This is perhaps because those buildings have been around for centuries, with some of them even being older than the
American Architecture: Their Iconic Buildings Continue Reading »
Arts and Crafts Movement (c.1860 to 1910) The Arts and Crafts movement formed in the second half of the 19th century and was made up of English designers and writers who wanted a return to well-made, handcrafted goods instead of mass-produced, poor-quality machine-made items. In the 1890s the popularity of the Arts and Crafts movement
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A Brief Guide To The History Of Furniture The role of furniture in our lives extends far beyond the purely practical. The shape and colour of our furniture, like other aspects of our indoor environments, influences our moods, perceptions, and ideas. Just as we design our living spaces, they in turn help to create us.
History of Furniture: From Upright Oak To Soft Satinwood Continue Reading »
The Italian island of Murano is renowned for its historic glass factories, which have prospered in the face of events including World War 2 and the more recent economic downturn. The island is home to iconic and highly reputable brands including Venini, De Biasi and Salviati to name but a few. The glass manufacturers of
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British architectural styles and British architecture as a whole have evolved hugely over the centuries, with movements and styles from years gone by still exerting influence and having vast appeal today. Let’s take a look at some of Britain’s major, most prominent, and most iconic architectural styles from the late 15th century onwards. Tudor
British Architectural Styles Continue Reading »
Many beloved Christmas movies hinge their dramatic impact on the idea of Christmas being jeopardised in some way, only to be saved at the last minute by a miracle. Whether it’s the threat of the Grinch stealing away everyone’s gifts or the possibility of Christmas being cancelled due to a great storm, the idea of
Glass Ornaments: A German Christmas Miracle Continue Reading »